Infant stabilization and immobilization apparatus

ABSTRACT

An immobilization apparatus that includes a base configured to support an infant laying the supine position; one or more straps affixed to the base; a locking mechanism for connecting the one or more straps across an infant&#39;s torso; and a fastener means for connecting strap segments to releasably secure an infant&#39;s extremities.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority from U.S. application Ser. No.14/713,303 filed on May 15, 2015, which itself claims priority to U.S.Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/993,539 filed May 15, 2014. Theentirety of the parent application and the provisional application areincorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD AND BACKGROUND

The present invention relates generally to stabilization devices, andmore particularly, to an apparatus for stabilizing and immobilizing aninfant during diaper changing.

Changing a diaper can be a difficult task. As babies learn to moveabout, they are less likely to remain still while lying on their backs.During changing, for example, babies often squirm about in an attempt torollover, or they attempt to move in a head-wise direction using theirfeet to push off the changing surface. A caregiver is then required touse at least one hand to keep the baby stable while using the other handto change the diaper. The caregiver must maintain constant attention onthe baby to change the diaper and to ensure the baby's safety. This canbe particularly challenging for single caregivers changing a diaperwithout assistance or for caregivers such as an infirm grandparent whomight not possess the strength and dexterity needed to keep the babystable with one hand while changing a diaper with the other. In additionto imposing a burden on the caregiver, the baby's movement createssignificant hazards, such as the possibility that the baby could fallfrom an elevated changing surface.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a meansfor stabilizing and immobilizing the infant in the supine positionduring diaper changing. The stabilization and immobilization apparatusdisclosed herein utilizes a one or more restraints to prevent an infantfrom squirming about or reaching for objects during diaper changingwhile also mitigating the possibility that an infant will crawl away orroll onto its stomach. The apparatus thus greatly assists caregiverswith changing diapers and providing for the general care of an infant.Repeated use of the immobilization apparatus also has the added benefitof establishing a routine for an infant during diaper changing where theinfant remains stable and immobile, thereby teaching the infant overtime to remain still during changing.

SUMMARY

According to one embodiment of the invention, an immobilizationapparatus includes a base; a locking mechanism; a first and second straphaving a fixed segment attached to the base and the locking mechanismand a free segment attached to the locking mechanism; and at least onefastener means to releasably secure at least a portion of the fixedsegments to at least a portion of the free segments.

In one aspect of the invention, the fastener means for the for the firstand second straps comprises a first hook-and-loop-fastening surfacedisposed along at least a portion of the fixed segment length and acorresponding second hook-and-loop-fastening surface disposed along atleast a portion of the free segment length so that the two segments canbe releasably secured together. In another aspect of the invention, theimmobilization apparatus includes a guard overlying a surface of thefastener means. In other embodiments, the fastener means is made of atleast one snap fastener disposed along at least a portion of the firstand second strap lengths.

According to a further aspect of the invention, the locking mechanism isa side-release snap-fastener. The locking mechanism can include a bucklefor moving the locking mechanism along the length of the first strap.The straps can be formed with a fabric layer, a foam layer, and awebbing layer.

In yet another aspect of the invention, the base includes an impressionto accommodate an infant. At least a portion of the base can be coveredby a fabric covering.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the immobilizationapparatus includes a base; a strap receiving element affixed to thesecond side of the base; and a strap having a fixed segment attached tothe base and the locking mechanism, a free segment attached to thelocking mechanism, and at least one fastener means to releasably secureat least a portion of the fixed segment to at least a portion of thefree segment.

Another embodiment includes a base with a first side and a second side;a locking mechanism; a first and second strap affixed to the base andengaged with the locking mechanism; and at least one extremity restraintattached to the first strap. In one embodiment, the extremity restraintcomprises a first hook-and-loop-fastening surface disposed along atleast a portion of the first strap length and a correspondinghook-and-loop-fastening surface to releaseably engage the firsthook-and-loop-fastening surface. In another embodiment, the extremityrestraint is formed as a cuff secured to the first strap.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention are betterunderstood when the following detailed description of the invention isread with reference to the accompanying figures, in which:

FIG. 1 is a stabilization and immobilization apparatus according to oneembodiment;

FIG. 2 shows an infant restrained in stabilization and immobilizationapparatus according to one embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a stabilization and immobilization apparatus according to asecond embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a stabilization and immobilization apparatus according tothird embodiment;

FIG. 5 illustrates the operation of a stabilization and immobilizationapparatus;

FIG. 6 illustrates an exemplary extremity restraint according to oneembodiment of the invention;

FIG. 7 illustrate an exemplary base with an impression for accommodatingan infant;

FIG. 8 illustrate an exemplary base with a flat surface;

FIG. 9 illustrate an exemplary portable base with a flat surface;

FIG. 10 illustrates an exemplary extremity restraint;

FIG. 11 is an exemplary extremity restraint;

FIG. 12 is an exemplary extremity restraint;

FIG. 13 is an exemplary extremity restraint;

FIG. 14 is an exemplary extremity restraint;

FIG. 15 illustrates the construction of a restraint strap according toone embodiment;

FIG. 16 is an exemplary anchor assembly; and

FIG. 17 is an exemplary side-release, snap fastener.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention will now be described more fully hereinafter withreference to the accompanying drawings in which exemplary embodiments ofthe invention are shown. However, the invention may be embodied in manydifferent forms and should not be construed as limited to therepresentative embodiments set forth herein. The exemplary embodimentsare provided so that this disclosure will be both thorough and completeand will fully convey the scope of the invention and enable one ofordinary skill in the art to make, use, and practice the invention.

Disclosed is an apparatus for stabilizing and immobilizing an infantwhile changing a diaper. An apparatus according to one embodiment of theinvention generally includes a cushioned base configured to seat aninfant in the supine position and one or more restraints configured tostabilize the infant and immobilize the infant's torso and extremitiesduring changing. The restraints can include one or more torso restraintsto prevent the infant from squirming about, crawling away, or rollingonto its stomach during changing. The apparatus can also include one ormore extremity restraints that prevent the infant from kicking orreaching for objects during changing while also further restricting theinfant's ability to squirm about, crawl away, or roll over.

Although the inventive stabilization and immobilization apparatus isgenerally described with reference to restraining an infant duringdiaper changing, those skilled in the art will recognize that theapparatus can be used in a variety of circumstances where it is desiredto stabilize or immobilize an infant, such as during the administrationof medicine, feeding, changing clothes, or even after a medicalprocedure where movement could compromise sutures or have other negativeeffects. Additionally, while the present invention finds particularapplication in the field of restraining infants, a person of any age maybe restrained by the stabilization and immobilization apparatusdescribed in the embodiments below.

As used herein, the term infant is intended to generally describe aperson under the age of three and is used interchangeably with the termsbaby or child. The term caregiver denotes a person responsible forchanging an infant's diaper or generally providing for the care andwell-being of the infant, such as a parent, grandparent, babysitter, orhealthcare professional. The term caregiver is used interchangeably withthe terms parent, adult, user, or consumer. Wherever used herein, themasculine shall be deemed to include the feminine and the feminine shallbe deemed to include the masculine.

Referring to FIG. 1, an exemplary stabilization and immobilizationapparatus 10 according to one embodiment includes a cushioned base 12, afabric cover 14, a torso restraint 20, and one or more extremityrestraints 24. The base 12 is generally rectangular, has a lengthgreater than its width, and is of predetermined dimensions suitable foraccommodating an infant being immobilized. Preferably, the length of thebase 12 is approximately the same, or greater than, the height of theinfant, and the width of the base 12 is approximately the same, orgreater than, the width of the infant's torso while her arms are restingby her side. In one embodiment, the width of the base 12 isapproximately sixteen inches, and the length of the base 12 is betweenabout thirty inches and thirty-four inches.

The base 12 should be thick enough to provide cushioning but thin enoughsuch that the infant would not be injured if he or she rolled off thebase 12 onto the changing surface 50 on which the stabilization andimmobilization apparatus 10 is placed. The dimensions of the base 12(e.g., length, width, and thickness) can be sized to ensure stabilityand to prevent the infant from tipping the entire stabilization andimmobilization apparatus 10.

As shown in FIGS. 1 & 7, the top surface of the base 12 can include animpression 18 suitable to accommodate the shape of an infant lying inthe supine position. The impression 18 can be, for instance, generallyrectangular or elliptical, or it can include separately shaped portionsto accommodate the infant's head, torso, or extremities. The raised basesidewalls 16 surrounding the impression 18 further ensure the infant'ssafety and immobility by impeding the infant's ability to rollover offthe base 12. The base sidewalls 16 can be sloped to provide for thecomfort of the infant and to promote easier access to the infant by thecaregiver.

Alternatively, the base 12 can be formed as a substantially flat pad ifthe impression 18 and sidewall 16 features are not desired, asillustrated in FIGS. 8-9. In other embodiments, the thickness of thebase 12 can be reduced as shown in FIG. 9 so that the base 12 can berolled or folded so as to reduce its dimensions for convenient transportand carrying of the stabilization and immobilization apparatus 10.

The base 12 embodiment illustrated in the accompanying figures isconstructed as a unitary, substantially solid member. The interior ofthe base 12 can be made of any material rigid enough to hold the infantin place but soft enough to provide cushioning for the infant's comfort,such as expanded polystyrene foam, extruded polystyrene foam,polyurethane foam, polyethylene foam, latex foam, cotton batting, woolbatting, polyester batting, plush, or any other suitable material knownto one of ordinary skill in the art.

The base 12 is optionally covered in whole or in part by one or morelayers of a fixed or removable fabric covering 14. The fabric cover 14can be made from woven textiles, such as wool, cotton, velvet, or silk.Or the fabric cover 14 can be made from nonwoven textiles, such asplush, wool or acrylic felt, or a polypropylene fabric. The fabric cover14 can also be a waterproof material, such as a natural or syntheticfabric treated with rubber, polyvinyl chloride, polyurethane, siliconeelastomer, fluoropolymers, or wax. In one embodiment, the base 12 iscovered in whole or in part by a waterproof fabric layer underneath asecond, outer fabric layer. Preferably, the fabric cover 14 is made of asoft, washable, nonallergenic textile to present a clean, comfortablesurface for contacting the infant.

The fabric cover 14 can be secured around the base 12 using any suitablemeans known to those of ordinary skill in the art, including, but notlimited to, stitching, elastic bands, zippers, glue (adhesive), orhook-and-loop type fastening material (e.g., VELCRO®). The fabric cover14 can optionally be secured directly to the base 12 by, for example,stitching or gluing the cover 14 to the bottom surface of the base 12.In another embodiment, the fabric cover 14 is releasably secured aroundthe base 12 by forming the cover 14 so that it conforms to the shape ofthe base 12 and by inserting the base 12 into the cover 14 through anopening that is wholly or partially closeable by a zipper,hook-and-loop-fastening material, or elastic bands around the edges ofthe opening.

Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the base 12embodiments depicted in the attached figures are not intended to belimiting, and other constructions and features are possible. By way ofexample, the base 12 can be formed as a pillow with filler material(e.g., polyester pellets, microbeads, feathers, etc.) enclosed by afabric cover. In this embodiment, the base 12 may include areinforcement member to provide added rigidity, such as a flexibleplastic panel in the interior of the base 12. Yet another embodimentincludes a plurality of slots or handles around the perimeter of thebase 12 that serve as hand receptacles for convenient carrying of thestabilization and immobilization apparatus 10. The apparatus 10 can alsoinclude safety features, such as anchors 70 that secure the base 12 tothe changing surface 50 via a fastening strap 72, as illustrated in FIG.16. Further embodiments can include additional padding formed ascontours on the base 12 to support various regions of the infant's body,such as a crescent-shaped pad to support the infant's head or acylindrical pad to provide lumbar support.

The base 12 can also be comprised of multiple portions secured togetherby any suitable fastening means, such as when the base 12 includesseparate portions to support the infant's head, torso, or extremities.In this manner, the stabilization and immobilization apparatus 10 can beadjusted to accommodate infants of different sizes or to accommodate asingle infant as he or she grows. To illustrate, an additional baseportion can be attached to the head of the base 12 shown in the attachedfigures using hook-and-loop-fastening material, straps, snap-fasteners,or the like, which effectively extends the length of the base 12 toaccommodate infants of greater height. In one exemplary embodiment, thefabric cover 14 is an elastic material, such as spandex, nylon, orpolyester, so that the fabric cover 14 can be stretched over anadditional base portion.

The stabilization and immobilization apparatus 10 can include one ormore straps that that run across the infant's chest, abdomen, or pelvicregion to serve as torso restraints 20. The embodiments shown in FIGS.1-3 include first strap 22 and a second strap 23 that connect over theinfant's abdomen using a locking mechanism 30, such as correspondingmale and female parts of a buckle, button, or snap-fastener.

The first and second straps 22 & 23 include a fixed segment 26 affixedto the base sidewall 15 and engaged with the locking mechanism 30 and afree segment 28 engaged with the locking mechanism. The free segment 28folds back over the fixed segment and releasably secures to the fixedsegment 26 via a fastening means. The fixed segment 26 of each strap 22& 23 is affixed to the base 12 and/or the fabric cover 14 by, forexample, stitching, buttons, snap-fasteners, glue (adhesive),hook-and-loop-fastening material, or any other suitable affixing means.Exemplary straps 20 are shown in FIGS. 1-3 as straps that buckle acrossthe infant's abdomen using a side-release, snap-fit buckle, such as theexemplary buckle shown in FIG. 17. The side-release buckle includes amale portion 81, a female portion 82, and an opening 84 for receiving astrap.

The locking mechanism 30 includes a buckle 32 for adjusting the positionof the locking mechanism 30 along the length of the straps 22 & 23,thereby effectively adjusting the length of the torso restraint 20 tosecure infants of different sizes or to permit varying degrees ofmovement by the infant. The straps 22 & 23 can optionally be made of anelastic material to permit some degree of movement when the straps 22 &23 are snug and secure across the infant. In other embodiments, thetorso restraint 20 is formed as a continuous strap 42, as shown in FIG.4. The continuous strap 42 includes a fixed segment 26 affixed to a basesidewall 15 and a free segment 28 that runs through a strap receivingelement (e.g., a loop or buckle) on the opposite sidewall.

The stabilization and immobilization apparatus 10 embodiment in FIGS. 1and 5-6 includes one or more extremity restraints 24 formed fromhook-and-loop-fastening material disposed along the length of the strap22 & 23 free segments 28. The extremity restraints 24 restrict movementof the infant's arms, legs, hands, or feet and to prevent the infantfrom reaching for objects or kicking during diaper changing. Theextremity restraints 24 are co-located with the torso restraint 20 andaffixed to the torso restraint 20 using stitching, buttons, an adhesive,or any suitable affixing means.

As illustrated in FIG. 5, a first end 25 of the extremity restraint 24is lifted upwards before placing the infant's arm between the twosurfaces of the hook-and-loop-fastening material. The first end 25 ofthe extremity restraint 24 is reattached to the restraint to releasablysecure the infant's extremity as shown in FIG. 6. The extremityrestraints 24 may be placed around any suitable part of the infant'sextremities, including the infant's wrists, forearms, upper arms,ankles, lower legs, or thighs. Placing the extremity restraint 24 aroundthe infant's upper extremities, such as upper arm or thigh, has theadvantage that it becomes more difficult for the infant to extract hisor her extremities from the restraints 24.

The straps 22, 23, & 42 of the embodiments shown in FIGS. 3-4 include afastener means to releasably secure the fixed segment 26 to the freesegment 28, thereby forming an extremity restraint 24. The fastenermeans implemented as by disposing a hook-and-loop-fastening materialalong the length of the straps 22, 23, & 42 such that the strap segments26 & 28 can be releasably secured together.

The hook-and-loop-fastening material may partially cover the straps 22,23, & 42 so that the uncovered portion of the strap contacts theinfant's extremities to provide for a comfortable fit. Thehook-and-loop-fastening material should cover enough of the straps 22,23, & 42 so that the length of the straps 22, 23, & 42 can be adjustedto accommodate infants of different sizes or to permit varying degreesof movement by the infant. The straps can include a guard 46, such asthe fabric sleeve depicted in FIG. 4 to enhance comfort and safety. Theguard can also be formed as a patch that covers a portion of the straps.

Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the embodimentsdescribed are not intended to be limiting, and other configurations forthe torso 20 and extremity restraints 24 are possible. For instance, theexemplary extremity restraint 24 embodiments shown in FIGS. 10-13 areconstructed as two separate straps connected together by snap buttons(FIG. 10), a peg and aperture buckle (FIG. 11), or a sliding snap-fitbuckle (FIG. 12). By providing multiple buttons, apertures, or a slidingbuckle along the length of the extremity restraint 24, the extremityrestraint 24 can be adjusted to accommodate infants of different sizesor to permit varying degrees of movement. In other embodiments, theextremity restraint 24 can be constructed as a sliding hook and loopstrap, such as the extremity restraint 24 depicted in FIG. 14.

The extremity restraints 24 can be integral with, or separable from, thetorso restraint 20, such as when the extremity restraints 24 areseparately affixed directly to the base 12 and/or fabric cover 14. Theextremity restraints 24 can be attached to the torso restraint 20, base12, and/or fabric cover 14 using any suitable fastening means,including, for example, a snap button, as illustrated in FIG. 13 or bystitching as shown in FIG. 14. By affixing one or more extremityrestraints 24 to various locations on the torso restraint 20, base 12,and/or fabric cover 14, the extremity restraints can be configured tocontact various locations on the infant's extremities, such as theinfant's upper arm, forearm, wrist, thigh, lower leg, or ankle.

In one embodiment, the base 12 is configured so that extremityrestraints 24 can be affixed to various locations along a sidewall 15 ofthe base 12. To illustrate, one or more components of a snap buttonfastener can be affixed to various locations on the base sidewall 15 sothat the exemplary extremity restraint 24 shown in FIG. 13 can besnapped into a plurality of positions along the base sidewall 15.

The restraint straps 22, 23, & 42 can be made from nylon, neoprene,polypropylene, cotton, vinyl, silk, leather, or any other suitablematerial known to one of ordinary skill in the art. The straps can becovered with a guard 46 as shown in FIG. 4 to provide for the infant'scomfort and safety. The exemplary strap profile shown in FIG. 15utilizes a multilayer design with layers of fabric 60, foam 62, webbing64, and hook-and-loop material 66. The fabric 60 is folded over the foam62 and webbing 64 and the layers are stitched along lines A and A′ withthe hook-and-loop material 66 serving as the outside layer.

Although the foregoing description provides embodiments of the inventionby way of example, it is envisioned that other embodiments may performsimilar functions and/or achieve similar results. Any and all suchequivalent embodiments and examples are within the scope of the presentinvention.

What is claimed is:
 1. An immobilization apparatus comprising: (a) abase with a first side, a second side, and a support surface sized toaccommodate a person; (b) a strap receiving element affixed to andextending from the second side of the base, wherein the strap receivingelement comprises an opening sized to accommodate a strap; and (c) saidstrap comprising: (i) a fixed segment affixed to the first side of thebase; (ii) an extremity restraint comprising (A) a free segment that iscontinuous and integral with the fixed segment, wherein the free segmentextends from the first side of the base to the second side, passesthrough the opening of the strap receiving element, and extends from thesecond side of the base back in a direction toward the first side of thebase and folds back over the fixed segment, and (B) at least onefastener means to releasably secure a portion of the fixed segment to aportion of the free segment to form a passage that is sized toaccommodate an extremity.
 2. The immobilization apparatus of claim 1,wherein the fastener means comprises: (a) a firsthook-and-loop-fastening surface disposed along at least a portion of afixed segment length; and (b) a second hook-and-loop-fastening surfacedisposed along at least a portion of a free segment length, wherein ifthe first hook-and-loop-fastening surface is a loop surface, the secondhook-and-loop-fastening surface is a hook surface, and if the firsthook-and-loop-fastening surface is a hook surface, then the secondhook-and-loop-fastening surface is a loop surface.
 3. The immobilizationapparatus of claim 2 further comprising a cover slidably disposed aboutthe strap and overlying the hook surface of the fastener means, whereinthe cover is disposed between the hook surface and the loop surface whenthe portion of the fixed segment is secured to the portion of the freesegment to form the extremity restraint.
 4. The immobilization apparatusof claim 2, wherein the support surface further comprises an impressionthat is sized to accommodate an infant.
 5. The immobilization apparatusof claim 4 further comprising a fabric cover covering at least a portionof the base.
 6. The immobilization apparatus of claim 1, wherein thestrap fixed segment and the strap free segment both comprise a foamlayer secured between a fabric layer and a webbing layer.
 7. Theimmobilization apparatus of claim 1, wherein the fastener meanscomprises at least one snap fastener having a first part configured toreleasably engage a second part, wherein the first part is disposed on aportion of the fixed segment and the second part is disposed on aportion of the free segment.
 8. An immobilization apparatus comprising:(a) a base with a first side, a second side, and a support surface sizedto accommodate a person; (b) a strap receiving element affixed to andextending from the second side of the base, wherein the strap receivingelement comprises an opening sized to accommodate a strap; and (c) saidstrap comprising: (i) a fixed segment affixed to the first side of thebase; (ii) an extremity restraint comprising (A) a free segment that iscontinuous and integral with the fixed segment, wherein the free segmentextends from the first side of the base to the second side, passesthrough the opening of the strap receiving element, and extends from thesecond side of the base back in a direction toward the first side of thebase and folds back over the fixed segment, (B) a first fastener meansto releasably secure a fixed segment first portion to a free segmentfirst portion to form a first passage between the fixed segment and thefree segment that is sized to accommodate an extremity, and (C) a secondfastener means to releasably secure a fixed segment second portion to afree segment second portion to form a second passage between the fixedsegment and the free segment that is sized to accommodate an extremity.9. The immobilization apparatus of claim 8, wherein (a) the firstfastener means comprises (i) a first hook-and-loop-fastening surfacedisposed on the fixed segment first portion, and (ii) a secondhook-and-loop-fastening surface disposed on the free segment firstportion, (iii) wherein if the first hook-and-loop-fastening surface is aloop surface, the second hook-and-loop-fastening surface is a hooksurface, and if the first hook-and-loop-fastening surface is a hooksurface, then the second hook-and-loop-fastening surface is a loopsurface; and (b) the second fastener means comprises (i) a thirdhook-and-loop-fastening surface disposed on the fixed segment secondportion, and (ii) a fourth hook-and-loop-fastening surface disposed onthe free segment second portion, (iii) wherein if the thirdhook-and-loop-fastening surface is a loop surface, the fourthhook-and-loop-fastening surface is a hook surface, and if the thirdhook-and-loop-fastening surface is a hook surface, then the fourthhook-and-loop-fastening surface is a loop surface.
 10. Theimmobilization apparatus of claim 8, wherein the support surface furthercomprises an impression that is sized to accommodate an infant.
 11. Theimmobilization apparatus of claim 8, wherein the first and secondfastener means comprise a plurality of snap fasteners having a firstpart configured to releasably engage a second part, wherein the firstpart is disposed on a portion of the fixed segment and the second partis disposed on a portion of the free segment.